Dear Church,

“When the church bends herself to be like the world, she will lose her testimony and power.”

Before the earliest Christians were even called "Christians," they were described as "people of the Way”. Acts 9: 2… “and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” They were later called “Christians.” Acts 11:26 “so it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” They were called that because of what they believed, why they believed, what they did and the way they lived.

Paul described the local church practically when he gave his farewell message to them in Acts 20:26-33:

1. The local church is not only a gathering point of Christians that are unrelated and disconnected but they have been entrusted specific leaders - a “specific flock” consisting of those who have experienced salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. “Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” v28
2. The local church is to be grounded in the whole counsel of God. It is not a teaching ministry but a local church that has a teaching ministry. “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” v26-27
3. The local church must be watched over and protected from disruption that comes from within. “For I know this, that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.” v29-30

Our spiritual ignorance, worldly and independent attitude often see the church as individuals, but Jesus and Paul always sees the church as a whole. As we move towards the last days of unprecedented pressures, uncertainty and demonic perversion, we need to take pains to be connected with the church. Our individual growth, sense of purpose and protection is found in the sum total of the whole body. When the church body is strong and protected, so are you!

Your Pastors,

Pastor Ong and Pastor Nancy